San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets Game Preview

The San Antonio Spurs look to add to their one game winning streak tonight in a game against the Rockets in Houston. This is the second Spurs game in two nights, the first being a 94-92 victory against the Atlanta Hawks last night.

The game will be at 7 p.m. CT and will be televised on TNT and broadcast on the radio on WOAI 1200AM.

How will San Antonio fare against Houston? We take a look at recent history, injuries, and key matchups to predict the outcome of the game!

Also, don’t forget to join us later today for our game thread. It will include scoring updates, lineups, up-to-date injuries, and some fun facts!

Recent Games

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs head into this game fresh off a 94-92 win against the Atlanta Hawks. The Spurs jumped on the Hawks early, running out to a 27-15 lead after the first quarter. Atlanta was able to rally back, however, and make it a game after outscoring San Antonio 77-67 through the final three quarters.

The win not only gave the Spurs their second win of the season, but, it also pushed Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich’s win total together to 900, the most all-time in history for any player-coach combo.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets come into this game hot, very hot in fact. The Rockets have started the season a perfect 5-0 and look to continue their winning streak tonight at home. Although Houston’s first four games were considered a cakewalk (games against LA, Utah, Boston, and Philadelphia), their latest win was against one of the East’s better teams, the Miami Heat.

The double-digit win at Miami also pushed Houston’s record to five straight double-digit wins, with four of them coming on the road.

Injuries

San Antonio Spurs

Marco Belinelli, Shooting Guard – Belinelli suffered a groin injury towards the end of the first quarter in last night’s game versus Atlanta. He will be out for tonight’s match. Look for Kyle Anderson and Austin Daye to potentially pick up his minutes.

Tim Duncan, Power Forward – Duncan is old. Gregg Popovich will rest his star power forward due to the back-to-back games.

Manu Ginobili, Shooting Guard – Ginobili will also be out for tonight’s game to rest.

Patty Mills, Point Guard – Mills is still healing from surgery on his torn rotator cuff. Expect his minutes to go to Cory Joseph.

Tiago Splitter, Center – Splitter re-aggravated his right calf injury in the game against the Hawks and is expected to miss tonight’s game. Look for Boris Diaw and Matt Bonner to pick up his minutes.

Houston Rockets

Patrick Beverley, Point Guard – Beverley will miss tonight’s game due to a hamstring injury. He had been dealing with the injury previously but re-aggravated it against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Isaiah Canaan is expected to fill in his minutes.

Terrence Jones, Power Forward – Jones will be out for a second straight game for the Rockets as a nurses a leg bruise. Look for Donatas Motiejunas to pick up the start in his place.

Key Matchups

Had Tim Duncan or Manu Ginobili been playing tonight against the Houston Rockets, the key matchup would go to either the center battle, Duncan or Howard, or the two guard battle, Ginobili or Harden. Since they both are not playing, today’s key matchup is at the three spot between Kawhi Leonard and Trevor Ariza. Ariza has been on an absolute tear to start the season and it will be interesting to see of the Spurs can contain him.]

Prediction

After escaping with a win last night versus the Atlanta Hawks, the San Antonio Spurs do it again and beat the Houston Rockets, this time with a depleted roster.

It always seems as though people count out the Spurs when are either dealing with injuries or resting key players. That would be a mistake tonight because I am taking the Spurs to win this game in close one.

Houston will relax thinking they have the win in the bag with San Antonio’s stars out but that will simply not be the case tonight.

Check out the score prediction below!

Next: San Antonio Spurs vs Atlanta Hawks Highlights